What are we looking for?

Continuing the conversation on strategic planning, why it matters, and what’s involved
Introduction of Steve Stedham, long-time leader involved in strategic planning at a major Christian foundation
Foundations are often seen as a “black box”; proposals are sent with little feedback
Key question: What do foundations look for in a strategic plan?
Adaptability is critical: plans must allow for change, feedback, and assessment
Lack of adaptability is a red flag
Prioritisation matters: narrowing many good ideas down to three to five shows rigour
Too much focus on tactics can be a problem; foundations look at a level higher than tactics
Strategic plans should be living documents, reviewed regularly, but with discipline and resilience
A major gap is often the lack of indicators
Strong plans include quantitative and qualitative measures for evaluation
Evaluation leads to learning and adaptation
Foundations and donors value knowing where you’re ahead and where you’re behind
Advice for beginners: talk to others in the same or complementary spaces
See others as allies, not competitors; avoid a scarcity mindset
Maintain an abundance mentality—God has the resources
Foundations are open to connecting groups and helping avoid reinventing the wheel
Asking questions is not a weakness; learning and curiosity are highly valued
Beyond strategy, foundations look for sustainability and long-term thinking
Foundations want to sit on the same side of the table for a lasting partnership
Creativity, curiosity, and adaptability matter
Engage foundations as partners, not ATMs
Foundations look for mission alignment (overlap creates partnership potential)
Lack of alignment doesn’t invalidate a ministry—it may just not be the right partner

What are we looking for?

Video Summary